Summer

I feel like such a slacker since it is almost October and I am just now updating our summer. As I was going through all the pictures that were taken this summer, I had a hard time picking out which ones to put on the blog since there were so many that I loved. I still picked a lot but no where near as many as I wanted.

This summer started out with a trip to the Middleton Fire Station for a tour. With this being my first venture out after having Ezra, I left him at home and only took the other 3 kids. William seemed to enjoy it the best as he loved playing inside the fire trucks.

We also had the opportunity to take the kids to the Dane County Fair. We kept hearing all the wonderful things about it but once we arrived, we were slightly disappointed. Growing up in CA, we were used to the Alameda County Fair which was HUGE compared to this one. The only thing that the Dane County Fair trumped the Alameda County Fair was in livestock. The kids had fun looking at all the different animals and even petting and holding some. They also enjoyed riding the rides and eating all the yummy, horrible for you fair food.

Fast forward a bit and we are now in July ready for Elizabeth's 4th birthday. She wanted a water princess theme- whatever that means. We interpreted as a princess cake with water activities. We had about 15 kids come and enjoy themselves with water balloons, 2 slip and slides, a mini pool and a trampoline. All of that was fun but the big hit was the cotton candy machine that we rented. The kids loved being able to eat as much cotton candy as the wanted and I think secretly that the adults did too. Elizabeth had a great time with her friends but cried when everyone sang Happy Birthday too her. I guess all that attention on her was a bit too much to handle.

Our last big thing of the summer was Vanessa taking all 4 kids out to CA for 3 weeks to visit with friends and family. We were kept busy with many trips to different parks, riding bikes, going to the zoo, visiting Columbia, hanging out with family and friends, seeing Auntie Julie come home from her mission, blessing Ezra, pee-wee golfing, the Wuehler Family reunion and going to the cabin. The kids had fun fishing, swimming, playing in the dirt, eating sweets and meeting new friends. The 3 weeks went by fast but it is very important to us that the kids get to see their family in CA at least once a year. We had a great summer and consider our family blessed that we were able to see everyone and that we have such great family and friends.

4th of July

 We kept things pretty simple this 4th of July since I just wasn't up to doing to much. We went to Lakeview Park in Middleton where our ward has a breakfast together. The kids had fun playing in the splash pad and the park. William was the most fun to watch at the splash pad since he is just now old enough to explore.

I laughed so hard when he would be walking and all of a sudden one of the fountains would spring to life in front of him and he would get squirted in the face and then run away. He would often do a crouching walk very slowly up to a fountain and try to drink the water too.

Isaac had the most fun playing ultimate frisbee with the older kids and kicking the soccer ball with his friend, Logan, who is 16. I just enjoyed being outside absorbing some vitamin d, talking with friends and watching Jim and the kids having fun.

After the park we dropped the kids off at home and Jim and I went back out to find me some shorts to wear since I don't want to wear maternity shorts all summer but I am still way too fat for my "fat clothes." Since we weren't successful in that department, we went and bought some fun things for Elizabeth's birthday party.

 Enjoying the warm weather, we turned down an invitation to a dinner and fireworks get together for a quiet bbq of hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken at home. Once our bellies were full, we left the kids with Jim's mom, Jeanne, and Jim and I went on a date to see White House Down.

I did miss doing the fun celebrations that the 4th brings out, but it was also nice to just enjoy a quiet day with family and then return home and watch the fireflies twinkle in the night as the booms from neighbor's fireworks goes off.

Our/My Bonus

27 weeks

It all started last September when I found out that I had thyroid cancer. Surprisingly I was completely fine with knowing that I had cancer and I wasn't surprised by the outcome of the biopsy because, lets be honest, I had a HUGE lump in my throat. It was so huge I felt like I should have named it because it felt, to me, that it was a whole other being growing on me. With the cancer on my mind, I left for NY for 5 days to visit my brother at the beginning of October and when I returned home, with in a couple of days I found out I was pregnant with baby #4.

I was in utter shock and couldn't believe I was pregnant. The more that I thought about it, I couldn't even figure out how it happened considering Jim's travel schedule and I just stopped breastfeeding 3 months earlier. The first person to find out the new was my sister-in-law, Danika. I called her in tears, freaking out. I was not ready for another baby and I wasn't even sure I wanted another baby, especially a "surprise" baby. William wasn't even a year old and I was just getting back into shape and trying to loose all the weight I gained from William's pregnancy. Danika was excited for me and said that every baby is a blessing. I told her that I was glad someone was excited for the pregnancy.

I had such mixed feelings about it. I knew that I should be excited considering how difficult it was for me to get pregnant the other 3 times and I felt guilty for not feeling that thrill of being pregnant. Instead I resented Jim for getting me pregnant and I didn't want anything to do with the baby growing inside of me.

29 weeks

The next step was trying to figure out how this pregnancy was going to play into the whole cancer situation; would I need to abort the baby or would I be able to keep it? I had to postpone my surgery that was scheduled for mid-October since I couldn't have a surgery in my first trimester for fear of harming fetal development. I was told that I could keep the baby but pregnancy could exacerbate the growth of the cancer so waiting until I had the baby to have surgery wasn't an option.  I was scheduled for my first surgery at the beginning of my second trimester in January and my second surgery at the end of my second trimester in February.

With everything that was happening, I think everyone around me was more concerned than I was. I had a sense of peace and calm through out it all even though I knew the risks of going under the knife not once, but twice while being pregnant. I was happy that everything seemed fine with the baby after going through the surgeries and I was starting to be OK with the idea that I was going to have another baby.

At my 20 week mark, I went in for my ultrasound convinced that I was having a girl. After looking at the ultrasound, the tech told me that I was having a boy. My heart was crushed. After looking at his bones and organs I asked her to check one more time to make sure it was a boy. Sure enough, that kid went spread eagle and there was no mistaking that he had a pickle between his legs. It took everything I had not to cry as I was lying on the table with my stomach covered in gel.

32 weeks

I again, felt no attachment to this baby. I knew that I would need to come up with a name quickly so I could attach some feelings to this baby. Jim and I thew around many names including: Jack, Jackson, Oliver, Ethan, Thomas, and a few more that I couldn't remember. Nothing seemed to fit like when we named our other kids. I was getting frustrated and I am sure that I was just driving Jim batty. One Sunday I was sitting in Sunday school bored out of my mind and started flipping through my bible. I landed in the Book Of Ezra in the Old Testament and felt like that was the name. That next week I heard the name Ezra on the TV, radio and read it in an article online. I then made a mention of it to Jim and he agreed with me that Ezra was the name.


 Once the name was picked, I was hooked. Immediate attachment followed. I was still a bit nervous about having another child considering that on some days I felt like I could barely handle the three that I had at home. Knowing that there was no turning back, I just tried to embrace the pregnancy and ran with all of it- back problems, constant barfing and always peeing my pants.

The cancer wasn't the only thing that plagued my family during this pregnancy. Right before my second surgery, we found out that Jim would no longer have a job come mid-April. *eye roll* "Here we go again," I thought. If it wasn't one thing it was another. Lucky for Jim and I, we knew that life wasn't easy and that we could either roll with the punches or get punched in the face. We just kept positive and kept living life trying to be proactive and figure out plans A-K just in case if different situations presented themselves.

38 weeks

I was scared to death about Jim's unemployment because I was sure I would kill him if I had to be with him 24/7 for who knows how long. I have to admit that him being unemployed was a huge blessing for us and our family. With his previous job always taking him away from us for traveling and working long hours, it was nice to actually see him slip back into being a Dad and husband. I loved watching him play with the kids and help with school work. My back was really bothering me so he turned it up a notch and helped out with house work and for the first time in almost 2 years, I truly felt like I had an equal partner in the home. I was able to actually sit back and take a nap and relax instead of me being the one to run the ship. Jim would make me breakfast in bed and even though I knew Jim loved me, it was nice to actually feel loved again. Nothing was hotter to me than watching Jim hang out with a bunch of other Moms and kids at play groups like it was just part of his normal routine.

With my due date approaching, Jim was offered a job and started the week that I was due. Always impeccable timing in our home. I was actually sad for Jim to return to work since I enjoyed having him home so much. With 4 days of work under his belt, I went into labor on day 5, my actual due date. Ezra Tolman Wuehler was born on June 21, 2013 (the summer solstice) weighing 9lbs 11oz and 21.5 inches long. He was absolutely perfect in every single way!

As I look at him, I realize he wasn't a surprise, but a bonus. He became the silver lining in all of our trials these past 10 months. He came out as perfect and as sweet as a baby can be. I was instantly in love with him and couldn't imagine him not a part of my family. I do feel guilty for thinking that I didn't want anything to do with him and that he was a burden. I couldn't be farther from the truth. He has brought us, as family so much closer to one another and taught me that I need to rely not only on Jim, but my whole family. I learned that it is OK to ask for help and that I don't have to shoulder everything myself. I have learned to focus on more important and meaningful things in life and enjoy them, not just to live them.

The kids are completely infatuated with him and can't get enough of him. Unfortunately for Ezra, that means that he always has some kid in his face, someone wanting to touch him and always someone wanting to wake him up to "play." He doesn't lack the attention, that is for sure. It is as if he was always part of our family and everyone was quick to embrace him but me. I was the one who had 9 months to welcome him into our family.

Now that he is here, I am a bit sad that my birthing years have come to an end. I would have 10 more babies if I could keep them in the 2 week newborn phase where all they do is eat, sleep, poop and cuddle. But knowing that they soon grow up and need so much more attention, I think 4 children is my number. I think I will hold onto my maternity clothes for a bit since even though I know that no more children will be joining us, I just can part with them just yet. With sadness I am closing this chapter in my life but I am so excited for the chapters to come.

Summer Has Begun

 

With school out and the weather warming up, we thought it was time to actually plant our garden. The kids had fun picking out what we were going to plant and then actually planting them. William loved using the watering can as a horn to blow in and then had fun filling it up with water and blowing bubbles in the hose when Jim, Elizabeth and Isaac planted.

 We also felt like it seemed appropriate to invite a bunch of kids over to play one day to kick off summer as well. With the trampoline set up along with a slip and slide, the kiddie pool and a couple dozen popsicles later, we had the grounds set for a really great day. All 10 kids had a great time and pretty much entertained themselves. After I have this baby, I said I would do this again. That evening, all the kids were pooped after an afternoon in the sun with friends.

I am looking forward to many more simple, summer days of just playing in the water, on bikes and eating as many popsicles as a mouth can handle.

Livestock

 I think we might have some future 4-H and FFA members in our family because our kids are obsessed with farming and farm animals.

We took another trip to Hinchley's Farm, our 3rd trip to be exact. For anyone who hasn't gone, I highly recommend it! With every visit that we have done, each one has been a bit different depending on how big our group is and what is going on at the farm.

 This trip was especially fun because William was old enough to actually be excited for the animals. His love for animals is just like his older brother and sister. With this visit, not only did they pet and milk a cow, but William and Elizabeth loved having the baby calves suck on the hands and fingers, Isaac and Elizabeth loved feeding the lambs with baby bottles, and all 3 kids loved feeding the goats, watching the pigs, collecting chicken eggs and holding chickens and a rooster. Isaac kept asking if he could come back and get a job on the farm. I wish there was a local farmer that we knew personally that would let Isaac volunteer a couple of hours a week because he would love that. He thought he was the big man on the farm when Tina, the farm owner, would give him small tasks like make the lamb bottles, carry the bucket of goat feed or clean the poop off the stroller wheels with the hose.

 Because the kids had so much fun at Hinchley's Farm, we thought they would also enjoy Cows on the Concourse. We drove down to the Capital Circle and bypassed the farmers market for cows. It was a kick off for Dairy Month here in Dane County where farmers get together and bring cows the kids can touch, play games, eat and drink ice cream, milk, and grilled cheese sandwiches and learn about cows, the importance of exercising and buying local.

 Jim and I laughed because we figured only here in Wisconsin would the highlight of the day be being able to have cow spots face painted on your body. The kids LOVED it!